'Below the line': The cheap shot that sparked All Blacks captain Scott Barrett

More alarming is Henry Slade

He’s personally offering very little and is becoming a liability

I’ve also noticed how teams (maybe coincidentally) have targeted Genge on defence

Or has Genge been put in bad positions? But anyway he seems to walk a lot for what appears to be a big fit guy

Hooker is another major issue for England

I’m Not sure how long George can carry on and hmmmm re Dan

I’d put Freeman at centre with Lawrence

I’d have Hassell Collins or Murley on the wing

Ollie Thorley another great winger

Waboso is of course out

I don’t think the Irish will drop off personally

You don’t get to win that many games without being a great side but it is an interesting period for them

They have a more dogging schedule than the other teams so should beat all of Argentina, Fiji and Aus but you never know

England and the ABs have the toughest schedules

But again all the NH teams are at home

Especially more so after losing Cane

It's possible Borthwick is keeping a lid on any contact to keep the opposition guessing. Or, more likely, FJ is on gardening leave until his contract expires.

If things have become acrimonious, which is likely given England refused to release FJ from his contract, then it's fair to assume FJ is picking up a paycheck from the RFU for doing zip.

That rarely happens, so during the game, we would truck the Flyhalfs. Let them feel the pain and when he sees you coming, that usually was enough for them to miss a kick.

Fatigue can play a big role, but these guys are super fit. I doubt that it would affect them that much. Naas was a great flyhalf, but he suited the forward game. Very few times did he let the backline run unless they are in the oppositions half. He wouldn't make today's Bok team. Great kicker, but you need a 10 who can run, kick and tackle.

It’s more likely that the working relationship with Borthwick and the rest of the management team has just disintegrated - and he’s now just on garden leave or something.

Overall a complete joke. They should have released him from his contract and moved on. And been more forthcoming with what is actually going on to avoid speculation. Unless the facts are better kept under wraps?

I can’t help but feel that this is just a really poor excercise in damage control. So long as Felix is serving his notice, he obviously can’t say anything due to confidentiality. But the whole story will eventually emerge and I don’t thinks it’s going to be pretty when it does.

I know you are hiding.

What do you make of ford now ?????

Smith not up to it eh .

Hamble pie what!!!

Something should be worked out that gaps in some teams should be traded. I can't see them stopping direct contracting these days though.